There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)

These six things the Lord hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him: A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others]…
Proverbs 6:16-17 (AMP)

“Hate is a strong word.”

My mom used to say this all the time to us growing up as kids. Why? Because words like hate shouldn’t be used flippantly. “I hate school.” “I hate vegetables.” “I hate doing the dishes.” In those cases, hate is too strong of a word for not serious enough of a situation.

But unlike children, God doesn’t use the wrong word for the wrong occasion. He says what he means and he means what he says. God doesn’t exaggerate. Therefore, when God has a list of things that He hates, we need to pay attention. We need to know, he really does deeply detest and despite these things.

And what comes in first place on this list? Haughty eyes.

John Phillips in his commentary on the Proverbs explains haughty eyes this way…

We use a similar expression when we speak of a person “looking down his nose” at someone else. Pride is the father of all sin. The proud look is scornful and contemptuous, the person who imagines himself to be much better than others.

Haughty eyes is the sin of our day!

Politics. Vaccines. Masks. Social Justice. Abortion.

The problem isn’t that we hold views on these issues, the problem is how we hold our views on these issues. For most of us, we hold our views on these issues in a way that belittles, discounts, and even disrespects those who hold a different view.

OUR DIFFERING VIEWS AREN’T OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM. OUR POSTURE OF SUPERIORITY TOWARDS THOSE WHO HOLD DIFFERING VIEWS IS OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM.

This is haughtiness, and God hates it!

Consider this. With each of your views, you are very likely taking a particular side because you believe you are hating what God hates. But, if you are holding that view in a prideful way, God also hates the way you are standing for what he hates!

Are you aware?

God might hate racism, but he also might absolutely hate the way you are standing against it. God might hate abortion, but he also might absolutely hate the way you are standing against it. Position and posture. Both matter deeply to God. God hates haughty eyes. Recognize.

Please pray with me…

REVERENCE
Heavenly Father, we praise and worship you as God. You can love what you want to love, and hate what you want to hate. You are God. Thank you for making it crystal clear to us today that you hate haughty eyes.

RESPONSE
Forgive us for our arrogance. Forgive us for our moral superiority. Forgive us for not realizing that the posture in which we are holding our positions is just as important to you as the positions we are taking. We surrender every injustice and every “wrong” we see to you. Not our will, but your will be done. Your will. Your way.

REQUESTS
Give us humility. Give us a kindness, respect, and love for those who hold different positions than we do. Give us a desire to understand others more than desiring to be understood. Give us grace. Give us compassion. Give us empathy.

READINESS
Lead us not into the temptation of thinking more highly of ourselves, our positions, and our views than we ought to. Deliver us from the evil of an over-inflated self-importance that leads to haughtiness. Help us God by the power of your Spirit to stay humble. We love you and pray all of this in Jesus name, Amen.